How Happy Are You in Your Work? 1 Quick Way to Evaluate Your Work Activities and Ultimately Boost Your Satisfaction

Research shows that U.S. employees are more satisfied than ever at work with satisfaction ratings increasing these past several years. While this is great news, the latest poll results on satisfaction are beginning to trend downward. According to Conference Board’s 2024 annual survey (taken in November 2023), “workers in the U.S. seem unhappier than they were a year ago in almost every category.”

The findings reveal that the largest downturns in satisfaction were with wages and other financial benefits. Additionally, another driver of increased dissatisfaction was employee interest in the work. Despite these concerns, it’s important to keep in mind that we’re still generally happy at work these days. But, there is undoubtedly room for improvement for many of us with respect to money and enjoyment in what we do.

Mark Twain once said, “The law of work seems unfair, but nothing can change it; the more enjoyment you get out of your work, the more money you will make.”

Of course, there is no guarantee that you will make more money from engaging in the work you love. But, there is undeniable power in the positive energy we generate when engaged with work we enjoy. This energy not only enhances our wellbeing, but it also influences our professional success, wellbeing, wealth and relationships.

For instance, the law of energy holds that people and their thoughts are made from “pure energy” and that like energy can attract like energy. In this way, when we exude positive thoughts and energy in our work and lives, we attract that same energy to us in the form of positive opportunities. The same holds true for negative energy.

From a neuroscience perspective, positive thoughts and beliefs can trigger the brain to find more opportunities for what we want to experience. Simply put, the brain processes a massive amount of information each day, much more than we can consciously consume. One of its roles, through the reticular activating system, is to determine what enters our consciousness and what does not, based on patterns we’ve developed through what we think, feel and believe.

This simply means that the thoughts and beliefs we hold are actually priming the brain to subconsciously look for more opportunities to make those thoughts and beliefs a reality. Again, this works for positive thoughts as well as negative ones.  

All of this confirms that doing more of the work you enjoy promotes positivity and is part of a successful formula for more happiness and fulfillment in your work and life. And, who among us doesn’t want that? In this article, we’ll explore a practical tool designed to help you assess your current job responsibilities to identify opportunities for greater satisfaction in your career.

 Satisfaction Matrix

A great first step before making career decisions when you feel any level of unhappiness is to gain a deeper understanding of how you feel about your work activities. The Satisfaction Matrix is a tool that helps you evaluate the work you are engaged in, so that you can make informed decisions on options for increasing happiness and fulfillment in your career.

Specifically, this exercise is designed to help you assess each of your work activities as to enjoyment and performance. It is true that there is sometimes a significant difference between being good at something and enjoying it. And, it is also true that we typically feel most accomplished and satisfied when we are actively engaged in doing things we like at a high-performance level.

Whether you are slightly dissatisfied or completely unhappy in what you do, this exercise will provide an overall view of what you may want more of and what may need to be addressed. in order to boost your level of career satisfaction.

 How it Works

1. Make a list.

Brainstorm a list of what you do in your work. Include the important responsibilities and projects, as well as the frequent everyday tasks.

2. Chart your activities.

Then, add each of those projects and tasks to the grid, differentiating between those you do well (low to high) and those you enjoy doing (again, low to high). The tasks you do well and that you enjoy will appear in the upper right corner, and so on.

3. Analyze the results.

Take at look at the grid. What stands out? You might notice that some things are as you expected. Are there any surprises? Either way, take a closer look at each quadrant of the matrix for additional insights and potential opportunities.

Upper Right Quadrant

The more things you see here, the better! These are the tasks you enjoy doing and you do them well. They likely create a sense of fulfillment and you may find that you get “in the zone” when working on them.

The obvious question is: how can you do more of these things? Perhaps you can ask for similar assignments, or work collaboratively with other internal and cross-functional team members to engage in the work. Also, you might consider having a conversation with leadership to discuss how your skills and future work in these areas can benefit the team and organization.

Upper Left Quadrant

These are the tasks that you enjoy, but don’t necessarily do well. And they are exciting, because they represent areas for growth and further learning (and further enjoyment). One next step might be to create learning goals and an action plan to achieve them.

Lower Right Quadrant

What you see here are the tasks that you do well, but don’t enjoy. This work might be causing some frustration for you, especially if it lands on your desk simply because you are known for doing it well. Some things to reflect on:

• Can you delegate them?

• What are the options for having a conversation with leadership about changing these responsibilities?

• How can you make these assignments more enjoyable? For instance, remember why you took this job, why it’s important to you, the mission behind your work, and what you do enjoy about it. This can help source motivation.

• You might also reward yourself after completing one of these assignments. Embrace and celebrate even the small wins.

Lower Left Quadrant

Hopefully this is not a significant list. These are the areas of your work that you don’t do well and that you don’t enjoy.

• Consider how you can minimize this type of work, or reassign it. Perhaps you can find someone on your team who enjoys the work, or would benefit from it in some way. Maybe that person has work they are not interested in that would suit you better.

• Ask yourself why you don’t enjoy the work. If one reason is because you don’t feel you do it well, there is an opportunity here to challenge yourself to develop these new skills.

• And, as mentioned above, you might find you can develop new ways to enjoy the task, if even to make it a bit more sustainable.

Whatever your results, spend some time reflecting on them in order to create a plan. With this analysis, you can focus on your interests and your strengths, and ways to leverage more of them in your career. Just as importantly, you can look for ways to reduce, change or eliminate that which isn’t working for you, leading to a more fulfilling and productive career.

* * * *

---

More:

https://traceygee.me/blog/competency#:~:text=A%20competency%20is%20something%20that,you%20finish%20and%20feel%20drained.

https://www.mbs.works/how-to-work-with-almost-anyone-book/

https://medium.com/@CoachDeveloper/the-work-dilemma-of-being-good-at-something-you-just-dont-like-doing-a5041675545e

10 Indicators You Are Ready for a Career Shift

As we move through the last quarter of the year, it’s normal to think about the year to come and what other career options are out there that may be more satisfying and meaningful. Imagine transitioning into a new role that offers you growth, stability, stronger fulfillment and better opportunities. If the nature of your current work is holding you back, it might be time to re-evaluate. Here are 10 signs that you're ready for a career shift.

1. Your Body Signals Distress

If you find yourself perpetually exhausted, struggling to focus at work, or falling ill more often than usual, these could be indications that your job is having an effect on your health. When stress or dissatisfaction manifest physically, it's a signal that change is needed.

2. Low Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is complex. Generally, if you are in the right role, you likely understand your value and your contributions, which then boosts your confidence and self-worth. Conversely, if you're feeling under-appreciated or doubting your capabilities, it may be time to review how well your job matches with who you are and what you want professionally.

3. Money is the Only Motivation

While a paycheck is crucial, it doesn’t have to be the glue that keeps you in a role in which you are not otherwise satisfied. If the joy of the work has vanished and you feel stagnant in your role, it might be time to seek something more meaningful that also pays you what you’re worth.

4. Dreaming of Another Profession

If you constantly daydream about another job or profession, ask yourself: is your heart still in what you're doing now? Think about what is missing and why other jobs seem more attractive as a starting point to explore if a change is right for you.

5. Lasting Boredom

Feeling consistently disinterested or bored with your work suggests that something is missing. This could be due to a lack of challenge, or insufficient collaboration or social interaction. Start to proactively daydream. If you could do anything for work without any barriers, what would it be?

6. Disconnected from Passions

Recall what made you choose this role in the first place. If you find that the job no longer aligns with those passions or has moved you further away from them, it may be worth considering a change.

7. Envy Towards Others' Jobs

If hearing friends or colleagues talk about their jobs fills you with envy, this is a sign. The grass may not always be greener, but it may be time to consider what isn’t working for you in your role.

8. Apathetic Attitude

If you've become indifferent to changes or innovations in your field or no longer feel the drive to learn and grow, this could signal a deeper underlying dissatisfaction.

9. Severe Sunday-Night Blues

If you have a pit in your stomach thinking about Monday or dread the end of the weekend, it’s a telltale sign that change of some sort of change is necessary.

10. Friends Notice a Change

Often, our friends and family can see changes in us that we might overlook. If those close to you are commenting that you seem down, more stressed, or unhappy, take a look at how you are feeling about work, and whether the resulting changes in your demeanor are related.

How to Make That Career Change?

Acknowledging the need for change is one thing, but determining what steps to take is another. And, it can feel overwhelming. Here are a few things you can do to explore options and take action:

• Lay the foundations: Pinpoint top career priorities based on your values and passions.

• Explore roles: Look for jobs that encompass your top career priorities and network with others to explore them further, so that you can make a decision with clarity and confidence.

• Upgrade your skills: Take some time to upskill as necessary for your role of interest.

• Seek a mentor: Their experience can offer invaluable insights. Booking a coaching consultation near you can be immensely helpful.

• Expand your network: Connect with those in your chosen field.

• Build a personal brand: Showcase your unique value, experience and skills.

• Create a plan: Set your short-term and long-term goals and the steps to achieve them.

Remember, coaching and consultation services can be invaluable during this process. Career coaches offer guidance, clarity, and perspective to help you find your desired path.

Ready for a Career You Love? Let's Start the Journey Together

Changing careers can be difficult, but it's also an invaluable opportunity to make a change for the better. Feeling the pull towards a new direction? Let us help! We're right here to offer you high-touch coaching and consultation services.

At Accomplished Life Coaching and Consulting, we offer over 30 years of professional success, leadership experience, and an understanding of the intricacies of the workplace. We're no strangers to the stress and challenges that can come from a busy job. But, we also firmly believe that we all deserve and have the right to enjoy what we do for a living. After all, the experience we have at work often flows hand-in-hand with what we experience in our personal lives.

Our mission is to instill success and happiness in both your professional and personal life. If you're searching the internet for "coaching consultation near me," your search ends with us. Remember, we're always here, ready to assist you on your journey to fulfilling career.

Finding the Right Career Coach for Your Unique Journey

In today's rapidly evolving professional landscape, achieving career goals can seem complex and challenging. This is where a career coach near you becomes invaluable. With the right career development service, individuals can find clarity on the right strategies to fast-track their career progression.

Let’s learn about the role of career coaches, how you can benefit from working with a coach, and how to choose the right coaching partnership for your needs.

What Do Career Coaches Do?

Professional career coaches can help you with a variety of career goals at every step of the way, from creating a plan through implementation. Career coaching is about support. Coaches are partners who provide guidance on your next steps and they also help you take action to achieve them.

What Can You Gain from Working with a Career Coach?

There are a wide-variety of benefits that come from working with a coach, including learning more about yourself and the actions necessary for you to achieve success. Here are several more:

• Assess your career trajectory: Understand where you are and where you want to be. Gain clarity and confidence in the decisions you make on your career path.

• Explore your options: Consider new roles and fields that fit with your career priorities, interests, strengths, and values. Receive guidance every step of the way when making big changes in your career.

• Create action plans: Set realistic short- and long-term goals including strategy on how to achieve them.

• Conduct your job search with best practices in mind: Discover a variety of viable options for how to approach your search and implement a plan that works for you. 

• Manage your first impressions: Optimize your resume and online profiles and increase your visibility. This is important at any time, but especially when considering a promotion, a new job, or a career change.

• Secure informational interviews: Set strategy for a networking plan that works for you. Learn how to reach out to your connections for help attaining your professional goals (and how to offer them support as well).

• Feel fully prepared for interviews and negotiation conversations: Receive invaluable help preparing for interviews and negotiation talks from a coach who can speak to best practices and, ideally, has professional experience in hiring, human resources, and management.

• Set strategy for promotions: Talk through your unique circumstances as you consider a promotion. Develop your brand and receive guidance from a coach on strategies to position yourself best for your next step.

• Create a plan for professional development: Determine the right skills to develop for your current and future roles, and create a plan to attain them for continuous success in the workplace.

Who Can Benefit from Career Coaching?

Essentially, anyone interested in gaining traction in the work force! A career development service can offer valuable insights for students fresh out of college all the way to people considering active retirement. While senior executives are seeing the value of coaching in their work, professionals at every stage can reap the benefits. People who work with a career coach typically feel:

• confident about where they stand professionally and in where they are going

• a sense of clarity that comes from understanding the unique value they bring to their work

• fully prepared and focused for crucial conversations in the workplace

• satisfied in the knowledge that they have tools for navigating unexpected career challenges

• a sense of fulfillment that comes from working in a role that aligns with personal values, interests, and priorities

How to Find a Career Coach?

Finding the right career coach near you is important. Here's a step-by-step approach to help you zero in on the perfect fit:

1. Recognize the type of support you need: Define clear outcomes you expect from the coaching experience. Look into various coaching styles and niches to find what resonates with you.

2. Determine your career coach search criteria: Consider practical aspects like remote or in-person meetings, and whether you would like your coach to hold specific credentials or certifications.

3. Consider how much you'll pay: Understand that quality coaching comes at a price. Define your budget, but also consider the potential return on investment. How much monetary value will you gain from attaining your career goals? What are the nonmonetary long-term benefits?

4. Initiate your search: Leverage referrals, look at profiles on LinkedIn, or conduct a simple online search with the keywords “career development service,” or “career coach near me,” to begin to explore potential matches.

5. Schedule an introductory session: Rapport and trust are crucial when working with a coach. Engage in a preliminary session with coaches you have identified to gauge the fit before you make a decision.

Is a Career Coach Worth It?

After realizing that you may want to work with a coach, the next thought is typically about costs. It's natural to wonder if the investment will be worth it. And, there is no way around it: hiring a career coach is definitely an investment. Consider your budget as you talk with coaches. And, weigh your investment against the benefits you will receive.

Ask yourself these questions:

• What monetary gain can you expect to realize from reaching your career goals?

• What intrinsic benefits do you stand to gain when achieving them that will produce good results for you in years to come?

For example, it’s quite likely that a full understanding of the value you add professionally will provide results throughout your career. Not only can this knowledge help you land a new job, it can help you analyze where you fit in within the organization in the short and long term.

It can also help you apply a strengths-based approach in your work that may lead to stronger performance reviews and better positioning for advancement.

Simply put, spending money working with a career coach now can mean earning more money later and it can also mean finding the happiness in work that comes from knowing yourself and your priorities better.

Consider your particular goals and the variety of ways you stand to benefit from achieving them. Also think about how long it may take you to achieve those goals on your own, so that you can determine potential return on your investment.

Propel Your Career Forward with Expert Guidance from Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting

Are you kick starting your career or navigating challenges in your profession? Think of a career coach as your partner in achieving your career goals. At Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting, we offer personalized services tailored to your needs. Our mission is to help individuals find success and happiness in their work and lives.

With over 30 years of professional success, leadership experience, and knowledge of workplace challenges, we deeply understand the issues professionals face in their work. We believe that everyone deserves to enjoy what they do for a living, and that a fulfilling job leads to a more fulfilled life.

Our team is here to support you. Whether you're seeking direction or working through challenges, we're committed to helping you set strategy and make decisions for more happiness and success in work and life.

___________________

Want to learn more? Schedule a complimentary online coaching consultation to begin to set strategy for your career goals.

Preparing for Tomorrow: Essential Career Skills for Future Success

The job market is evolving and moving in new directions. We are beginning to experience unprecedented changes with the fast-paced adoption of AI in the workplace, recent corporate lay-offs, and employment shifts post-pandemic.

In light of all of this, it is important to know which professional skills are helpful now, and what skills will be necessary for success in the future. This is where coaching consultation services can help.

A career coach can help you identify your transferable skills and how they relate to changes in the market, while also addressing additional skills you may want to gain to stay ahead of advances in technology.

Let’s take a look at how coaching consultation services can help you identify skills important to your future success.

Top Career Skills for the Future

1. Resilience & Flexibility

With such quick shifts taking place in the job market, it is important to be flexible and resilient. This means being open to new ways of doing and thinking about things. It's important to bounce back from setbacks that can come with change, and remain flexible and open-minded in order to quickly and effectively take on challenges in productive ways.

2. Technological Upskilling

It’s important to stay ahead of the curve with respect to technological skills. Think about what skills you need to strengthen or cultivate today to stay relevant in the future. One way to do that is to look at trends in your industry. Look for articles from industry leaders, trade publications, and relevant professional organizations for anticipated changes in your industry, field, and role.

For example, it is imperative for many of us to develop skills in working with Artificial Intelligence. It will change the way work is done across many industries in the years to come. The idea is to learn how to work in tandem with AI, rather than in competition with it.

3. Creative Problem Solving

With changes in the job market and our distinct fields of interest, the same solution we apply today may need to be adjusted in the future. Yet, it’s always important to keep an open mind and creatively problem solve to better address challenges at any point in time.

One way to do this is to consider new mental models for addressing challenges, getting to solutions, and making decisions. Mental models are frameworks for how to think about problems. Investing time routinely to learn and work with new approaches is a great way to boost this skill.

4. Cultural Awareness

We are in an ever-expanding global business environment these days. It’s important now and in the future to expand your skills in cultural awareness in order to grow and maintain successful business relationships with diverse groups of people. And, building cultural awareness skills is also important for maintaining respectful, productive and successful working relationships with colleagues.

If you are moving into a global role, look for courses on cultural awareness or cultural competency training. Seeking out DE&I training opportunities within your current organization is another great way to start. 

5. Ability to Focus

It seems many struggle these days to maintain focus on work activities, to read books, or even articles. There are likely many reasons for this. One big one may be how we have adapted to using technology.

Neuroscience studies show that the pleasure center areas of our brains light up with activity when new emails and texts arrive. The alerts we receive from our digital devices have trained our brains to seek them out, which naturally causes repetitive shifts away from the activity at hand. This constant shift in attention is not only exhausting, it prevents us from being able to focus on anything for very long.

If you struggle with focus, consider turning off alerts when working intently. You might place your phone in another location to avoid picking it up when your mind wanders. To effectively build focus over time, start slowly. Schedule short blocks of time to focus (perhaps 10-15 minutes) and move on to something else when that time is up.

The future is exciting when you think about it. We are witnessing big changes right now that will usher in a brand-new way of working, and we want to be prepared to adapt to those changes. Take steps to develop a plan for your future career success.

How Career Consultation Services Can Help

1. Self-assessment: Career coaches often start by helping you assess your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values. This self-awareness helps you align your career goals with your personal attributes and priorities, which can have a positive effect on job satisfaction.

2. Setting goals: Coaches assist you in setting clear, achievable career goals. These goals serve as a roadmap for skill development, helping you focus your efforts on what is most relevant to your desired future success.

3. Skill identification: Career coaches can help you identify the specific skills required for your chosen field or industry. They can also help you recognize your transferable skills and how they relate to your future and a potential career transition.

4. Skill development planning: Once your goals and skills are defined, a career coach will help you develop a personalized plan for skill development. They can help you identify courses, workshops, online resources, or practical experiences that will help you acquire necessary skills for advancement.

5. Networking and mentorship: Career coaches can guide you in building a professional network, identifying people who can provide valuable insights for skill development and career growth.

6. Feedback and accountability: Regular coaching sessions provide a structured opportunity to receive feedback on your progress. Coaches partner with you to hold you accountable for your skill development, ensuring that you stay on track and make any necessary adjustments to your plan along the way.

7. Interview and job search preparation: A career coach can help you update your written materials including your resume, as well as improving your interviewing skills. Through conversation and mock interviews, coaches will offer guidance and feedback to improve your performance.

8. Confidence building: In addition to external factors, career coaches help clients with internal challenges as well. It’s normal to feel emotionally challenged when contemplating big changes in life. Career coaches can help you boost your self-confidence and self-esteem, which are crucial for career growth and job search success. They also provide emotional support and encouragement throughout your journey.

9. Time management and prioritization: Developing skills for future career success requires time and effort. A coach can help you manage your time effectively, set priorities, and balance skill development with other commitments.

10. Problem-solving and decision-making: Career coaches can assist you in overcoming challenges and making informed decisions about your career path and skill development choices.

11. Personal brand development: Finally, a coach can help you establish a strong personal brand and online presence, showcasing your skills and expertise to potential employers and networking contacts.

Coaching consultation services can play a crucial role in helping individuals identify, acquire, and develop the skills needed for career success. Working with a career coach provides the guidance, structure, and support that increase your chances of success in a competitive job market.

Chart Your Path Forward with Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting

If you're interested in creating a roadmap for success, whether it be to upskill or otherwise advance your career, we are here to help.

Prepare for tomorrow, today. Reach out for a free coaching session, and let's co-create your future. Book your session now!

6 Common Misconceptions About Career Counseling

In your desire for a successful career, you will likely will have to make important decisions on your trajectory. These choices will impact your professional journey and often have profound implications on your personal life as well. When making big decisions, career counseling can be invaluable. Partnering with a career counselor can help you gain objectivity and insight in order to make your next moves with confidence and clarity.  

Career counselors work with clients in a variety of ways on a range of career challenges far beyond finding a new job. If you are wondering whether a coaching consultation near you would make a difference in your career, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will break down six of the most prevalent misconceptions about career counseling and what you can expect instead.

#1: Career Counseling Is Only for Those Who Are Struggling

It's a common misunderstanding that only people who can't decide what they want to do with their lives need to look into career coaching. Actually, the opposite is true. Career counselors assist those who are unsure about their life's direction, but they also provide invaluable coaching and consultation services to those who are looking to advance in their current field, make a career change, or increase their professional skills.

#2: All Career Counselors Are the Same

Another misconception is that any career counselor will provide the same guidance. Different counselors bring varied experiences, perspectives, and expertise to their practices. For instance, at Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting, we offer a unique blend of many years of career success, leadership experience, and a deep understanding of workplace challenges. Our holistic approach to career guidance ensures you're not just finding a job; you’re discovering a fulfilling career.

#3: Counselors Decide Your Career for You

Career counseling is not about someone telling you what to do. Instead, counselors provide guidance, resources, and tools to help you understand yourself and the job market better. Coaching and consultation services like those at Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting empower you to set strategy and make informed decisions about your career that blend who you are as a person with the realities of your unique situation.

#4: Career Counseling Is a One-Time Thing

The idea that a single session with a career counselor can resolve all career-related challenges is unrealistic. Career development is a continuous process. Regular coaching consultations near you can offer ongoing support, helping you navigate career transitions, seek promotions, and address workplace challenges over time.

#5: Career Counseling Is Only About Resumes and Interviews

Creating a strong resume and practicing for interviews are important parts of looking for a job, but career counseling goes much further than that. Career counseling services ensure that your interests, skills, and values align with your job search goals. This whole-person approach can provide a higher degree of work satisfaction. At Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting, we focus heavily on helping people achieve more happiness in work and life. We want people to not just get a job, but build a career that matters to them.

#6: Technology and Online Resources Have Made Career Counselors Obsolete

With advancements in technology and AI, it makes sense that people feel they don’t need professional coaching and consultation services. Online tools are very helpful, but nothing beats getting one-on-one support from a trained professional who provides reliability, knowledge, guidance, and new perspectives in ways that online tools cannot.

About Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting

Our goal is to assist clients with finding happiness at work, firmly believing that it echoes happiness in life. With many years of professional experience, and a compassionate understanding of workplace challenges, our dedicated coaches guide individuals toward success and satisfaction.

With respect to your career, working with someone you trust can make all the difference. Are you looking for a coaching consultation near you?

Schedule first with Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting. Take advantage of our free consultation session to help you set strategy around your goals with career satisfaction and fulfillment in mind.

Understanding Career Coaching: 4 Signs It's Time to Seek Guidance

The pressure in San Francisco professional circles is immense. With more people looking for ways to succeed, working with a career professional can help you differentiate yourself from the competition.  San Francisco career coaching, specifically, can make all the difference. An experienced, local career coach can help you better understand the job market, target local companies, and leverage local connections when striving to reach your career goals.

But how do you know when it's time to seek out help in your career? In this article, you will learn four signs that signal that you may be ready to find professionals offering career consultation in San Francisco:

1.    A Prolonged Feeling of Stagnation

A static career feels out of place in a city like San Francisco where innovation and evolution are foundational. And yet, it’s natural for busy professionals to experience stagnation over the course of time. At times, professionals excel in their roles but still feel like they’re standing still due to a lack of challenge, interest, or the sheer redundancy of their work. One question is whether this is a result of monotonous work, or an indicator of something deeper.

This is where San Francisco career coaching can really help. By offering new strategies, fresh perspectives, and local resources, a career coach can help you determine what’s missing in your career. Perhaps it’s the need for connection with new passion in your work. or to find new ways to instill drive, purpose and a sense of motivation in your day-to-day.

2.    Dreading Mondays More Than Usual

Most professionals have experienced the dreadful 'Sunday-night blues’ at times. But, when this feeling becomes more persistent, alarm bells should ring. It could signal that you are in a role or in an environment that doesn't resonate with your values or priorities. It could mean that you are in a role that no longer interests you. The job might pay well, and the title might sound impressive, but if it doesn't stir passion or offer fulfillment, is it worth the dread?

This is where a career consultation in San Francisco can be transformative. With a structured approach, career coaches dive deep into helping you understand your passions, strengths, and ambitions, bridging the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

3.    Feedback Doesn't Translate to Growth

Feedback is often viewed as the pathway to improvement at work. However, what if feedback no longer feels constructive? If your 1:1 meetings with your manager feel more like a string of negative words than constructive advice, there may be a disconnect. This feeling can hamper growth signaling you may be ready to talk with a career coach.  

A coach will help you get to the heart of the matter and outline practical next steps. With career consultation in San Francisco, you'll have access to tools, techniques, and frameworks to help you get back on track and thriving in your career.

4.    You're Unsure About Your Career Direction

Navigating one's career in a city as competitive as San Francisco can be tough. Making big career decisions can be overwhelming. If existential career questions keep you up at night, it's evidence that a change may be necessary.

Seeking professional advice about your employment options in San Francisco is the first step toward gaining clarity. The expertise of a career coach can illuminate paths you hadn't considered, help you refine goals, and provide actionable strategies, aligning your career with your personal and professional aspirations.

Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting: Your Partner in Career Success

At Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting, we feel passionately that everyone deserves a happy work life. With our guidance, many professionals have discovered the benefits of aligning passion with their work.

If this resonates with you, or if you’re curious about where your career can lead, it's time to take the leap. San Francisco career coaching isn't about fixing what's broken, but elevating what's already there. Discover the potential that lies within you and pave the way for a fulfilling professional journey with Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting.

Pursue Your Dream Career

We all deserve and have the right to enjoy what we do for a living. If you question your career path or feel like there's more to your professional journey, consider seeking a career consultation in San Francisco.

Are you prepared to take the next step toward achieving your professional goals? Reach out to Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting and let us guide you every step of the way.

Transitioning Careers? How Coaching Can Help You Find the Right Path

Given the dynamic nature of the modern workplace, many of us find ourselves at a crossroads in our professional lives at some point considering a new direction. This could be the result of a change of circumstances in life, the need for variety, a new-found professional purpose, or the search for better work-life balance.

While making a professional change can be exciting, the road to making that change is often challenging and comes with a lot of questions and uncertainty. How can you make sure your goals align with realities in the marketplace? How can you turn obstacles into stepping stones while transitioning? How do you know whether you are making the right decision in the first place?

Let’s talk about what you can do to gain clarity and confidence for a smooth and successful career transition.

Why is Coaching Essential for Career Transition?

It can be hard to determine how to make changes when thinking about a new career. Landing a role in a new career is a process involving logic: a look at necessary skills, what the market bears, companies of interest, and how best to position yourself. It is also equally important to review who you are at a deeper level to make sure your top career priorities are identified and used as a measurement when considering career options. Here is where coaching consultation services play a pivotal role.

• Discovering Your True Passion:

A professional coach will help you identify your innate passions and strengths. With this understanding, you can target roles that align more closely with your personal and professional priorities.

• Personalized Strategy Development:

A one-size-fits-all approach doesn't work for career transitions. Coaching consultation services provide effective strategies personalized to your unique circumstances, ensuring that your transition is both smooth and rewarding.

The Advantages of Working with a Qualified Career Coach

An experienced career coach can provide direction and empathize with the challenges that you may experience. Here is why partnering with a seasoned professional can be a game-changer:

• Empathy and Understanding:

With a wealth of experience in management and leadership, coaches understand the intricacies of workplace dynamics. They bring compassion and empathy into their work delivering top-notch coaching consultation services.

• Results-Oriented Approach:

Leveraging their vast experience, coaches offer strategies that are actionable and results-driven. With a clear roadmap, your transition becomes less about guesswork and more about informed decisions.

The Synergy between Happiness at Work and in Life

Working with a coach can enhance your professional work and your personal life as well. The concept that contentment in one's work is has a direct impact on one's level of happiness is one of the cornerstones upon which Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting was established. But why is happiness at work so important?

• Performance and Productivity:

When you love what you do, it translates into better performance and higher productivity. This leads to professional growth, increasing your sense of accomplishment and confidence, and contributing higher value to your organization and to your field.

• Well-Being and Mental Health:

Enjoying what you do for a living can reduce the chances of experiencing burnout, decrease workplace stress, and help you effectively maintain perspective and manage challenges that arise in work and life.

• Holistic Growth:

Because you are making decisions logically and with a sense of what matters most, you are increasing satisfaction in your professional life. And, satisfaction at work leads to increased satisfaction in other areas of your life including relationships and well-being.

Coaching consultation services are truly an investment in a more rewarding professional and personal life.

Make the Leap with Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting

Changing your career is difficult. It can feel overwhelming to dive into self-discovery and development on your own, but with the right guidance, support, and resources, you can do the work and achieve your goals with clarity and confidence.

Take advantage of coaching consultation services when you are ready to take the leap. And if you're seeking a professional coach with a wealth of experience, compassion, and actionable strategies, reach out to us at Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting.

Our methods are reliable and effective because our expertise comes from industry knowledge, professional education, real-life experiences, best practices, and ongoing learning. Sign up for coaching consultation services for a roadmap putting you on the path to a promising career that aligns with your goals and ambitions, and as importantly - with who you are as a person.

How Career Development Services Shape Success

As professionals experience growth and change, so do their career needs and ambitions. Career development services provide a compass for those navigating the combined complexities of corporate change, the job market, and their professional goals. Before asking yourself, “How do I find a career coach near me,” let’s take a look at how career development services, especially those provided by dedicated career coaches, can help you succeed.

Career Development is More than Just Guidance

Good career development services involve a holistic approach. It’s not just about getting a promotion or positioning oneself for the next opportunity, it’s about understanding why these next steps are important. A career coach will help you reach insight and use it to set a meaningful, sustainable path forward. 

In essence, career development is a comprehensive journey blending self-discovery with strategy. You're not just seeking the next rung on the ladder when typing “career coach,” or "career coach near me" in your online browser. You're aiming to connect with more meaning and satisfaction in your work.

The Integral Role of a Career Coach

Working with a career coach near you will help you find personalized solutions to your unique circumstances. Career coaches and consultants can also help you match the priorities of your professional life with your next steps ensuring a more satisfying career.

The Psychological Benefits of Career Coaching

There are many situations that cause people to feel disconnected, stuck and unhappy in their careers. Some feel this way because of the immense pressure and challenging workload that exists in the corporate world. Others feel a lack of connection in their work because they landed in their professions by chance, due to lack of career planning earlier in life. And, still other professionals feel at odds with their work because they chose careers based on the wishes and desires of family, and not with any real passion or interest of their own.

To make matters worse, many professionals feel stuck due to high earnings or the overwhelming nature of considering a career change. These situations can lead to chronic stress, and in some cases even depression.*

So, how can career coaching help? Career coaches offer guidance, partnering with professionals in ways that can increase resilience, confidence, and well-being, in addition to helping people achieve professional goals.

Wherever you are in your career, it’s never too late to gain clarity on career options that align with who you are. Working with a nearby career coach can be instrumental in helping you set strategy on career next steps that foster less stress and more satisfaction. Career development services can help you grow and progress in your career in ways that drive meaning and fulfillment. 

Discover New Potential

Many times, we are unaware of the full scope of our talents and strengths. Coaching helps clients discover their potential. Career coaches guide, challenge, and motivate, ensuring clients are always pushing boundaries. Searching for a career coach near you is a great way to get started on discovering your full potential.

Aligning Career Goals with Life Happiness

At Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting, we believe that the happiness we feel in our work goes hand-in-hand with the happiness we experience in life. Career development services aim to align your profession with your passion, ensuring that you don't just work for a pay check, but that you enjoy the work as well.

Why Choosing a Local Career Coach is Important

It is possible to connect with anyone, anywhere in the world these days. However, hiring a career coach in your area has clear benefits. A local coach can help you gain a sense of the local job markets, companies to target, and can also provide local connections to leverage.

How Career Development Services Evolve with Time

The job market is dynamic. What is relevant today might be obsolete tomorrow. The growing impact of AI is predicted to impact many jobs, requiring many people to upskill into other areas. Career development services ensure clients remain updated, competitive, and equipped to face future challenges. If you are ready to search the web for "a career coach near me," finding someone who stays informed on latest trends, technologies, and market shifts is essential. Career coaches ensure that you're not only prepared for today, but are ready for tomorrow.

Find Clarity and Confidence with Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting

The road to success often involves a few obstacles along the way. These challenges are easier to overcome with the right guidance. Career development services provide you with the confidence and clarity that are important when making any changes in your career.

Searching for a career coach near you? At Accomplished Life Coaching & Consulting, we offer unmatched coaching services, ensuring your career journey aligns with your top professional and personal priorities.

________

*If you are feeling depressed and are experiencing a prolonged and deep sadness about your circumstances, please consult with a licensed therapist for assistance. Resources: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists | https://www.mhanational.org/finding-therapy | https://www.betterhelp.com/

Is It a Good Fit? 5 Ways to Explore Company Culture Beyond the Interview

We all know that company culture is an important aspect to consider when evaluating potential employers. The culture of a company is crucial to our experience as employees, and yet it can be a hard thing to ascertain in the interview process alone.

The last thing any job seeker wants is to accept a position to learn later that it isn’t a good fit based on culture. This happened to me once and if you’ve ever been in this position, you know what I’m talking about!

If you’re in the market, here are some thoughts on ways you can learn more about a company beyond the interview.

1.     If possible, visit the company’s physical office space. This can give you a sense of the interactions taking place, the mood and tone of the office, and the layout.

2.     Network. This is a big research category and by far the most effective. It also takes some time. Well before you get to the offer, or even an interview, engage in conversation to learn more about the company, the experience of working there, team dynamics, collaboration, and values. Let’s breakdown a few ideas for this:

• Reach out to professionals in your industry who may have insights into the company you’re considering. Look at industry events, workshops, or online forums including LinkedIn groups where you can interact with people who have worked or are currently working for the company.

• Also, look for professionals on LinkedIn you have something in common with such as fellow alums. If they have worked for your company of interest, ask for a 15-minute informational interview. This can provide an opportunity to have candid conversations about company culture without the pressure that comes with formal interviews. Shy about reaching out? For the most part, people want to help. Most can relate to these requests understanding that they themselves have been in this position or may be in the future. Reach out to as many people as you can.

• Don’t forget about the people you already know. Leverage your current network by contacting people you know who have worked for the company you are checking out. Ask them about their experiences. And, ask who else they know whom they recommend you speak with. Keep the ball rolling to learn more.

3.     Checkout Glassdoor. This is a site that provides inside information from employees themselves on topics such as salary, CEO approval rankings, company reviews, and more. This is a great place option to learn valuable information. Just like with any written reviews, be sure to consider input from a variety of sources. A small number of negative reviews may not accurately represent the entire culture.

4.     Review the company website and social media pages. What are the company values? Does the company speak to diversity and inclusion? What about employee engagement? If there is mention of these things on the site, it’s generally a good sign, but you will still want to do more research.

5.     Look for recent news reports. What has been happening with the company lately? If there have been acquisitions or big changes in leadership, this could indicate shifts in company direction and culture. Also, take a look at the D&B Hoovers database for everything you could possibly want to know about the company. There is a cost for access, though you can begin with a free trial.

Company culture is often complex and multifaceted. Focus on gathering information from a variety of sources for a well-rounded perspective. And, trust your gut. What are your instincts telling you based on the people you’ve met and the research you’ve done? If something feels off or doesn’t align with your values, this could be an indicator that you may want to keep looking.

Interested in setting strategy for your job search? Follow me on LinkedIn or be in touch to schedule a conversation. I would love to hear from you!

Maximize Your Job Search Through Online Networking: Strategies and Best Practices

“I dread the idea of networking.”

This is a very common sentiment for many job-seekers. Networking can be awkward and uncomfortable. It’s difficult to reach out to strangers. It feels vulnerable to ask for help. And yet, when it comes to searching for a job, networking works.

Studies show that 85% of jobs are filled through networking and estimates indicate that between 70-80% of jobs are never even posted publicly. That is a lot of missed opportunity if you aren’t building your network and meeting with others. Networking is helpful in your career no matter your goal and it can be vital if you are on the hunt for something new.

With respect to job searching, in-person networking provides more of a human connection and can be fun and rewarding (yes, I believe it can be fun, or at least tolerable, with the right mindset). To maximize efforts, I recommend clients engage in online networking as well, specifically via LinkedIn.

According to LinkedIn, 70% of users hired in 2016 had a LinkedIn connection at the company. Whether you want to learn more about a particular field or role, want help getting in front of the people who are hiring for the job you want, or just want to expand your professional network beyond your geographical location (a best practice, by the way!), LinkedIn is a top online resource.

How to Engage in Online Networking for Help with Your Job Search

Once you have an idea of the role and industry you’re interested in, as well as the value you provide, one common sense way to get started with LinkedIn as a job resource is to then search for job openings. This will lead you down the traditional job search path of applying and waiting for a response. And, I recommend you do this.

At the same, take advantage of what LinkedIn offers by engaging in a strategic networking approach as well, such as this one:

• To get started, use LinkedIn, Google, and any other resource to identify organizations you either want to work for or want to learn more about. Make a list of at least 6, although 8 to 10 is better.

• Then, for the first one on your list, search LinkedIn for the most relevant employees in that company to talk with about the role you want to fill. Remember, there doesn’t necessarily have to be a position available.

• Are you finding that any of those individuals are connections of yours? If so, great! Send a LinkedIn message asking for a few minutes to talk about their work at the organization.

• If you are not yet connected with people of interest, look for a mutual connection you have in common and message that person asking for an introduction. Keep it simple by explaining that you are thinking of possibly shifting jobs in the future and would like to learn more about this person and what they do at the organization as part of your research. And, then send them the text for the introduction so that they can just copy and paste it into a LinkedIn message or email to the person you want to interview. Make it really easy. (More on this below).

• What if you have no mutual connection in common? Send a LinkedIn connection request with a simple message expressing your interest. For example, “Hi, Mark. My name is Karen Righter and I’m interested in what you do at Markham International. I’ve been trying to learn more about the research and development industry and would love to connect with you.” Then, once connected, reach out to request 10 to 15 minutes for an informational interview.

Most people are more than happy to help by answering a few questions. Expect that you will get some no’s and won’t hear back from others. It’s part of the process and many people are just busy trying to fit everything in. Reach out to many people in order to schedule a sufficient number of conversations with people from each organization.

Through all the conversations and online engagement, you’ll likely gain a boost in energy that comes from social connection. In addition, you will be gathering helpful data and meeting interesting people. With consistent networking activity, you stand to gain eventual invites for interview and job opportunities as well.

Here are few tips to keep in mind when getting started with online networking:

• Be specific.

  Even if you don't know exactly what you're looking for, be as specific as possible when asking for an introduction or an informational interview. Example: “I'm an experienced graphic designer looking for my next opportunity. I would love to work in the gaming industry for companies like ABC or XYZ and I'm wondering if you would be willing to introduce me to anyone you know in the industry.”

• Cut to the chase first.

  Lead with your ask (as with the example above) and then add in your experience or other qualifying information. Because people are busy, they want to know what help you would like at the outset of your message.

• Avoid the pitch.

  Asking for help is typically your best bet and it's more respectful than selling yourself for a job in an unsolicited way. Avoid using language like, “Fortune-500 sales director, 5+ years exceeding sales projections . . .” Save that for your LinkedIn profile headline.

• Prepare in advance.

  Consider the questions you would like to ask before engaging in an informational interview. What would be most helpful to know about the role, the company, or the industry? At the end of each call, ask who else your conversation counterpart may know who may be willing to talk with you. And then request an introduction.

• Make it simple.

  Make it as easy as possible for the person you're messaging to forward your request with an introduction to a contact who is hiring. For example, include your resume as a pdf link in your message instead of sending it as an attachment, so it can be forwarded to others more easily.

• Follow up with a note of thanks.

  This is a given, but worth mentioning. Remember to reach out to your contact who has helped you in some way and express your appreciation. It's not only a common courtesy, it helps foster future communication and relationship building.

• Keep a positive mindset.

  This process is not always a quick one. You you may need to reach out to many people, because some may never respond. People are busy. It's not personal. Some may reply that they can't help, and this is to be expected as well. Just keep going and remind yourself of your goal, your “why” (the reason you want to make a change in the first place), and the fact that this process works.

• Give back.

  One of the main reasons people (such as those on LinkedIn who you are reaching out to) like to help others is because it feels great to do so. Remember as you are asking for help that you are also in a position to give back to others and provide assistance when the opportunity arises.

• Develop a networking “lifestyle.”

  Finally, right now is a great time to take actions to engage in networking both in person and online, on an ongoing basis. The more people you know, the more relationships you genuinely cultivate, the more help you can receive and provide in the future.

All the best on your networking adventures!

*******

Making a Career Move: 5 Essential Elements for a Confident Journey

Making a career change is often an exciting process--and it can also be an intense one. It can involve much soul searching and courage to take the leap. And, it also can feel empowering and exhilarating to think about what lies ahead. As a career coach and a career-changer myself, I can attest to this!

If you are actively considering a career change, you likely feel a sense of passion for a specific new direction and you are hopefully creating a plan. Set yourself up for success with your plan by including SMART goals and an appropriate timeline with milestones, deadlines, and action items.

And, as you work with your plan, consider adding in time for the following fundamentals for a greater sense of confidence that you are on the right track, and to also make the most of your efforts.

1. Define your “why.”

One of the first things to do when planning for a new career is to more deeply consider your purpose. Why do you want this change? What are your motivations for doing it, and what do you hope to achieve in your new career that you are unable to accomplish where you are?

This is important, because understanding more clearly why you wish to make a change provides an opportunity to make sure you are doing it for the reasons that matter and that make sense to you. And, this deeper understanding can help with motivation and resilience if and when the seas get choppy.

You already know your "why," but dig a bit further to confirm your thoughts and feelings to get to a place of stronger motivation and confidence that you're on the right path.

2. Research.

Even if you have something in mind, take time to flesh out related careers, industries, roles, and organizations that fit well with your values, skills, strengths, interests, and passions. A career change can be life-changing and as exciting as it is to get started, it deserves time for research and self-reflection.

Some ways to do this include exploring roles via job announcements on job board sites such as Indeed or CareerBuilder. Another way to research is to talk and network with others (more on this below). Also, consider joining groups in your field of interest, read trade magazines, and follow industry trends in your desired industry.

This step is really about making efforts to source new data, so you can make an informed decision on what's next. Reflect on what you’re learning and how it fits with who you are and what makes you tick. You will either gain extra validation that you are heading in the right direction, or an opportunity to pivot before going further.

3. Network, network, network.

After, or even while you are researching, connect with people in your desired field to gain insight. Request informational interviews to learn more about their work. Connecting with others is not only helpful with respect to gathering knowledge, these new connections can help you along your job search journey. Often times, interviews are scheduled and job opportunities are offered based on networking conversations over the more traditional application approach.

Some studies show that a whopping 85% of jobs are filled through networking, and estimates indicate that between 70 and 80% of jobs are never even posted.

When engaging in informational interviews, think in advance about what facts would be helpful to know as you pursue opportunities in your new field. For instance, you might ask for details on the type of work involved, the ups and downs, helpful skills and education, what to expect getting into the industry. At the end of every conversation ask who else you might speak with for more information on the career option you are exploring. And then, ask for an introduction to that person!

Networking not your thing? Many people feel this way. As with anything that feels daunting, set small goals and consistently achieve them for sustained motivation. Work your way into a networking mindset one step at a time. The benefits of doing so extend far beyond making a career change and job searching.

4. Acquire relevant skills and education.

This one is rather obvious, but important to note. Take time to consider all of your strengths and skills--both technical and interpersonal--that you bring to your new target role.

It's likely that you have a number of transferrable skills, but what, if any, gaps do you want to fill? Consider any skills you may want to develop or degrees, certifications you may want to gain to be more competitive in your desired field. Then, factor into your plan how you will acquire them, whether it be through self-study, or formal education, and when.

Some skills and trainings may be obvious, while others may surface from your research and networking conversations. Make sure you are considering what, if anything, you want to freshen up on or achieve as part of your planning process in order to increase your marketability and confidence.

5. Identify your support team.

If you have a solid “why” and you feel impassioned to make this career change, you likely feel strongly motivated to get there. Still, a career change can be a long process with unexpected twists and turns.

Surround yourself with a support system of family, friends, mentors and professionals who can perhaps serve as sounding boards for ideas and concerns, and provide helpful advice and guidance along the way. Identify people who can be a source of inspiration, offer new perspectives, and provide encouragement, so that you can call on them when you want a boost.

***

As we all know, creating a plan and timeline is a necessary starting point for a successful career change. Factor into it these five fundamentals for analyzing your purpose, conducting research, and sourcing support. This will help you maintain confidence, motivation, resilience, and, just as importantly, the passion that likely brought you to this point in the first place.

To your career success!

*******

The Key to Making the Most of Your Next Networking Event

What’s the key to getting the most out of your networking events? I believe it’s intention.

There are more than a few things to consider when it comes to maximizing your networking efforts, and it all seems to boil down to having defined your specific purpose. You can show up for events and get some value, but when you show up with intentionality, you’re strategically using your time and effort for greater benefit.

As you likely know, networking and building relationships is crucial for professional accomplishment. There is plenty of research out there corroborating the huge impact networking has on career and business success.

Although networking is essential for success, it can be a major challenge to develop the right mindset and make time for it. This is one reason being intentional can be very helpful! So, let’s look at how to use intention as a way to make the very most of your time and your networking activities.

1. PREPARE IN ADVANCE

Take some time to think about your specific purpose before you even add an event to your calendar. It may seem excessive, but it’s important to really think through your goals, how you might help others, and what you hope to gain. Here are some tips on that:

Consider the crowd and how you can help. Networking is about creating relationships. Just like any relationship, it’s about an exchange, a give-and-take. Thinking about how you can serve others before you enter the room can cut through any awkwardness, increase authenticity, and make you feel great about what you’re doing.

Most of us really want to be able to help others because it feels good to do so. Helping others from a place of connection and pleasure actually makes us happy according to research done by happiness researcher and author, Elizabeth Dunn.

Along those lines, think about the people likely to be in attendance based on your experiences with the type of event. If it’s a new event, you’ll learn more about potential attendees from the title, the host, the sponsor, the venue, and the time of day.

Then, take a bit of time to reflect on your knowledge, background, experiences, existing network, your skills, and strengths that may be of use. This will help you with faster recall when conversations steer in those particular directions, and the boost of self-confidence that comes from this exercise is always a good thing!

Consider your goals. What is it you want to achieve through networking? What do you hope to achieve specifically with this event? You know this already. Perhaps it’s to connect with other professionals for the purpose of learning about new job opportunities. Maybe it’s to source introductions to learn more about a new field or area of interest. Or, it could be to gain business leads. Maybe there are other ways in which you could use help. Whatever your goal, be prepared with your asks, so that you can easily fit them in as conversation flows.

2. CONNECT DURING THE EVENT

Let’s face it, except for the extreme extroverts among us, walking up to a stranger, much less a group of strangers, to start a conversation can be tough. Here are some ideas for how to approach these interactions with an authentic, positive and productive mindset to help you more calmly navigate your next networking event.

Talk to people. The biggest hurdle in networking is actually approaching people and starting a conversation. If this an issue for you, some have found it helpful to commit to talking with a certain number of people. Each conversation then helps accomplish that goal.

Get curious. Ask questions that help you learn more about the other person. People generally feel great talking about themselves. This is a terrific opportunity to find out what others care about, for instance, and a great way to gain a sense of how you might be able to help. When someone comments, get curious, and ask another question to learn more. For example, what inspired her to get into her profession? What is he learning? What does she enjoy most about her work? And, then just simply ask, "How can I help you with that?"

Listen attentively. It’s actually quite common when meeting new people to be thinking of our next question or comment while the other person is still talking. Slow down a bit, take your time and really listen when engaged in conversation. Look for ways to support the other person’s work in some way, provide helpful information, invite him to another networking event, offer a potential introduction, etc.

Make your ask. When talking with others and learning about them, be sure to look for natural openings to vocalize what would help you. Perhaps the opportunity comes up when talking about your work. “In fact, I’m looking to shift to a career in journalism. Do you happen to know anyone in that industry?”

At the same time, don’t worry if you leave the event without any leads or potential introductions. You will have plenty of time to ask those questions of your new connections when you following up. And, depending on what you’re looking for help with, it may even be better that way.

Above all, don’t go in with expectations that are unrealistic. It is sometimes necessary to plant loads of seeds in order for one of them to sprout.

Release any pressure. Most of us really want to be able to help others because it feels good to do so. Helping others from a place of connection and pleasure actually makes us happy according to research done by happiness researcher and author, Elizabeth Dunn. And, this is an excellent, positive networking mindset.

But, even if a way to be of service doesn’t come to mind immediately, getting to know others is interesting, in and of itself, and it helps you grow your network. Chances are you will find ways to contribute later. And, keep in mind that sometimes the act of reciprocating value to others in the moment can be as simple as an authentic “thank you.”

Another way to take the pressure off of striking up a conversation with someone new is to view it as an experiment. Most people will welcome you to the group to meet and talk. After all, they may also feel awkward and will appreciate your approach. But, there will still be a handful of people who aren’t friendly or accommodating. This is life.

As an experiment, see how long it takes to get into conversation with others and which approaches work well. Stepping back from the fear of rejection in this way can provide helpful objectivity and positivity when putting yourself out there.

Also, going to an event with a networking partner can cut back on the pressure. For instance, ask your networking colleague to observe and intervene when you are trying to strike up a conversation with a group if it isn’t going well. The comfort of knowing someone is there to support you (and you them) can be very helpful for getting into the mix at events.

Finally, have fun. Sure, you’re in a room with a bunch of strangers, but they’re just people. Keep it casual, get interested in learning about them, be prepared to talk about yourself a bit, and just enjoy the food, the beverage and the idea of making new connections.

3. CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS POST-EVENT

Following up with your new connections is a must to grow your network. It seems obvious. Yet life is busy and without a system for staying in touch, connections can get lost quickly. Here are a few ideas to create a bit of structure for following up and cultivating relationships.

Record your notes. As soon as you can, perhaps even on your phone afterward, record notes on whom you met, what you learned about them and what you talked about. Later, you can add this information along with each person’s title and contact information to your networking spreadsheet. (If you don’t have a networking spreadsheet, now is a great time to start one! Here’s an example that you can download and use.)

Follow up. Send an email the next day to the people you met, especially those you genuinely want to get to know better. In your message you might thank them for their time, follow up on their offer to help, forward a relevant article, offer to help them in some way, provide additional comments or answers to questions that came up in conversation, express your interest in getting together for a cup of coffee or lunch, ask them for an introduction, or ask for some other specific form of assistance that you may not have mentioned when first met.

Stay in touch. Calendar a future date to be in touch with your new contact to further the relationship. Or, find another way to remind yourself to do so. Intentions are great, but easily fall through without a concrete plan.

Expand your connection points. Head over to LinkedIn (and other professional online social platforms) and send connection requests with a personal message to those you just met. This is a great way to get to know people better and another avenue for staying in touch.

The bottom line is that networking can be difficult to fit in, and yet it is a powerful tool that streamlines professional success. Make the most of your next networking event by being intentional. Spend a bit of time planning. Get curious about how you can help others and rev up your positive mindset. Fit in your own requests for help. Create some structure for follow up. And most of all, be yourself and enjoy the event!

*******

One Overlooked Way to Increase Satisfaction in Your Work

“My job is boring.”

“I’m in a rut.”

“I wish I could take the day off tomorrow.”

“This career just isn’t for me.”

“There must be something else out there.”

“Maybe it’s time to start looking.”

Do you ever find yourself having thoughts like this about your career? You’re not alone. In its 2021 Work and Workplace survey, Gallup found that fewer than 50% of employees are truly satisfied in their work. Think about that! Although many of us spend the majority of our waking hours on work, fewer than 50% find that work truly satisfying.

There are many scenarios you may have found yourself in when it comes to being unsatisfied in the workplace. Maybe you once enjoyed your career, but circumstances in your life have changed and motivation has become a real challenge. Perhaps your role at work has changed in ways that no longer connect with who you are or what you want to be doing. Or, maybe earlier in life you landed in a career by happenstance and it’s never been a great fit. Whatever the situation, you may be thinking about what else is out there and what career might be a better fit.

But, what if you could take actions to improve how you feel about your work without a career change?  Is that even possible? The answer is yes. There are things you can do to boost enthusiasm in your career before deciding whether or not to move on. It may sound simple, and even counterintuitive, but there are actionable steps you can take to gain more satisfaction at work. Here is one of them: 

Volunteer

Instead of relying solely on your job description for satisfaction, you can voluntarily take on work that means something to you. One key to satisfying work is meaning. In a survey conducted by Project Energy and Harvard Business Review, meaningful work was found to be the highest factor driving career satisfaction for participants. Results revealed that employees who experienced meaning and significance in their work reported 1.7 times higher job satisfaction and were 1.4 times more engaged in their work.

How does one define meaning? Meaning is different for different people. For a university professor, it may be about scholarship and sharing new ideas. A healthcare professional may feel there is no greater meaning than caring for those in need. The bottom line is, meaning in work and life is about engaging in activities that are deeply connected to what matters to you and why.

Here are some examples of volunteering in the workplace:

• Serving as a mentor to a junior member of the team

• Joining an employee volunteer program sponsored by your organization

• Taking initiative to create a program beneficial to your team, such as skills training or a new system to improve efficiencies

• Becoming a member of a relevant professional organization, or taking on a larger role there

If you’re like most people, the thought of adding another task to your plate can be extremely overwhelming, especially when you’re already feeling unsatisfied and unmotivated. However, the spark of excitement and motivation you may gain from engaging in something larger than yourself will often produce more energy to carry you through, and the benefits can span into other facets of your life.

In fact, when looking for meaningful ways to volunteer, search for opportunities outside of work as well. After all, we’re not just what we do for a living. Because of the interconnection of work and life, the benefits of engaging in something meaningful in our personal lives can often have a positive impact in our professional lives as well. 

Early in my professional life, I was hired as a paralegal for an international law firm that had just set up shop in a new area. On my first day, I was told to sit tight as the business development team got to work signing clients. As these things go, I was “sitting tight” for a period of about 3 months. It was excruciating to not have any work to do day after day. As leisurely as it might sound to be paid for doing nothing, surfing the internet in the early 2000’s lost its charm after the first 8-hour day. 

Without satisfying work (or any work at all), I began to crave meaning and contribution, long before I knew this was vital for career satisfaction. I wanted to feel like what I was doing had value and mattered in some real ways. While I didn’t see a way to break the monotony at work, I did realize I could contribute in my personal life. That’s what eventually led me to serve as a mentor in a local youth organization.

This mentorship program was the best thing I could have done at that time. It was a remarkable feeling to be involved in something greater than myself and to be contributing to a young person and a community in such a way. The positive energy I felt from that experience overflowed into my work and provided me the inspiration to find ways to make better use of my down time in the office.

There was an extra benefit: Not only did volunteering on weekends provide a sense of purpose and meaning that helped me get through a challenging time in my career, it eventually led to a new job several years later. That’s right. Not only can volunteering help increase meaning and therefore enthusiasm and well-being in both work and life, it can grow your network, further your skills, lead to future career opportunities doing something you love, and it may just boost your income.

In fact, career success and increased income is another benefit of increased meaning in general. A BetterUp survey revealed that employee participants who found their work meaningful were 10% more likely to have received a raise in the prior year and 5% more likely to have been promoted in the previous 6 months than those who found their work less meaningful.

To get started with volunteering outside of work, think about options and causes that fit with your passions, interests, skills, and values. There are many ways to identify these, but one easy way is to consult online volunteer boards. In one of its blogs, Volunteer Match provides advice on how to source and choose opportunities that are a good match for you. While there, search for opportunities in your area.

Bottom line: Volunteering is one way to try to increase satisfaction at work. You may feel overwhelmed with the idea of volunteering your time personally or professionally when time is already in short supply. Time can sometimes be a real obstacle, but keep in mind that you get to choose how many hours to invest on what and when. Ask yourself this, what else will you do to increase satisfaction in your work and how much time will that take?

—

While there are things you can do to increase career happiness, there are situations and environments (such as a hostile or toxic workplace culture) in which a career change may be in order.

If you are on the job market, or thinking about a search, sign up for the latest guide, “Prepare for a Successful Job Search: 4 Basic Updates to Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile.” Whether or not you are using LinkedIn (and I hope you are), employers are looking for you there. Present the best version of yourself online as well as you are in person.

—

Want help navigating your career change? Learn how to make decisions on your career path with clarity and confidence. Take actions in your job search for increased career happiness and success. Schedule a conversation.

Judy Gielniak | judy@acclifecoaching.com

Three In-Depth Steps and Strategies to Regain Motivation in Your Career

This article was originally posted on Medium.

---

Motivation, or lack of it, can have a profound impact on feelings about work as well as work performance. Most of us have experienced the excitement and rush when feeling truly motivated in an activity. And, most of us have also felt the boredom, frustration, fear, and at times a sense of despair when we’re languishing in work that isn’t sufficiently motivating.

To understand how to overcome absence of motivation, it’s important to understand its causes. At one level, the causes are as varied and unique as we are as individuals. At the same time, there are certain common themes that emerge that are relatable to most of us.

For example, issues surrounding working through a global pandemic has been demotivating for most everyone on the planet to some extent. Fear has been the cause for many. Loss of job security is obviously an extreme factor of diminished motivation.

On the less severe side, some lose motivation due to a loss of passion for their work perhaps because they have been doing the same thing for so long. Others may struggle with motivation due to challenging relationships in the office. While some may have a hard time motivating themselves to complete assignments because they just don’t enjoy the work.

Making matters worse, loss of motivation often leads to procrastination. We know what we want to do, or should do, or need to do, but we choose not to do it, which provides an immediate, yet temporary, relief from our struggle. Later, we often feel guilty, worried, or anxious for not completing it. It’s a defeating cycle.

If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In its recent report on the State of the Global Workplace, Gallup found that, although it has risen some in recent years, still only about 30% of U.S. workers are engaged in their work.

The good news is that you are in the driver's seat. Reengaging and finding ways to strengthen your zest for work is entirely within your control. So, what are some things you can do? There are many short-term, quick strategies to reenergize yourself in your work, but for sustainable results, you will need to dig deeper.

Step One--Determine Why 

The first step is to take a look at why you're feeling unmotivated. Is it driven by factors internal to you, or is there something external causing your motivation to dip? For instance, your internal motivation can take a dive if your work feels too routine or boring. Or, on the external side, if you receive a lower-than-usual annual bonus, you may experience lower-than-usual motivation.

Sometimes the cause is not that obvious. If this is the case for you, it’s important to take some time to reflect and write out what you've been experiencing to explore the underlying reason. One way to get to the root cause is by asking and answering "why?" 5 times.

Let’s take Alex’s experience as an example. Alex is a 35-year-old man who was struggling with a severe lack of motivation in his work as a sales director. Here are his five questions and answers.

Question: "Why am I feeling unmotivated?"
Answer: "Because I'm bored."

Question: "Why am I bored?"
Answer: "I no longer feel challenged."

Question: "Why don't I feel challenged?"
Answer: "I know my job inside and out."

Question: "Why do I know my job inside and out?"
Answer: "Because it's all I've done for 10 years."

Question: "Why is it all I've done for 10 years?"
Answer: "Because I'm good at it and I typically like routine." 

““In its recent report on the State of the Global Workplace, Gallup found that, although it has risen some in recent years, still only about 30% of U.S. workers are engaged in their work.””

Through this exercise, Alex was able to see that his inclination for routine was a primary factor in his motivational slump. He realized that, as much as he found routine to be comforting, it was actually interfering with the happiness he wanted to get from his career. With this information, he was able to look at options for how to shift out of his customary patterns in ways that were agreeable to him in order to renew excitement in his work. Alex found that he was able to delegate some of his work in exchange for taking on new assignments that called on his strengths and offered opportunities for growth.

Not everyone will discover the source of their lack of engagement this quickly. But, even if you don't get to the deepest root cause right away, exploring your reasons for a dip in motivation may provide at least some clarity for actions you can take to reclaim it.

Step Two--Strategize

At this point, you hopefully have a few ideas in mind for what you can do to help revive your motivation. But, before deciding on a course of action, take some time with the following reflective exercises for a stronger likelihood of increasing your motivation at a deeper level.

Strategy One: Get to know your drivers in life. Reflect on and answer the following questions.

• What are the things you currently feel enthusiastic about?

• What brings you joy generally?

• What do you value in your career?

• What do you most enjoy doing at work?

• How can you use the things that you feel passionate about in life to ignite more passion in your work?

• What career goals can you set around what drives you in work and life? 

Strategy Two: Infuse meaning in what you do. How does the work you do have a positive impact on others? This is a powerful question to answer for yourself, because recognizing the ways in which your work serves others can instill more meaning in your career overall and in your day-to-day activities. Meaning (being involved in something greater than oneself) has been shown to drive increased engagement and motivation in work. Yale Professor Amy Wrzesniewski’s 2013 study found that hospital janitors who reported that their jobs had a positive impact on helping patients were far happier in their work as compared to their counterparts who saw their work purely as providing cleaning services.

Who benefits from your work directly or indirectly, and how is what you do helping them? Can you get to know these individuals in any way? What are other ways you can strengthen your connection to the people you serve in your work?

Strategy Three: Challenge yourself to view your circumstances from a new perspective. This can be a hard one, but cultivating a positive mindset is one of the most impactful things any of us can do to more successfully and happily navigate work and life. Often, it's the negative messages we tell ourselves about challenges that lead to lack of motivation. Recognizing and intercepting those messages is the first step to then looking at them more objectively in order to prevent them from derailing our motivation. This is not about glossing over difficult situations. Rather, it’s about choosing how to best, and more accurately, interpret what’s happening in order to respond in ways that result in better outcomes in our lives.

The next time you feel stressed or challenged, take some time in a quiet space to clear your mind. Then, get curious about your situation. Without blame or judgment, what are the relevant factors that might be contributing to the situation?

Additionally, ask yourself:

• What is the learning opportunity for you?

• What is the gift this is providing you?

• What strengths and skills are you developing in this situation?

• What opportunity does this situation create for you?

• How would you view this situation at the end of your life in terms of what is important about it and what isn’t?

Granted, it is difficult to shift from feeling upset to finding gifts in a challenging situation, but it does get easier with practice. In his book, Positive Intelligence, Shirzad Charmaine provides a research-based system for handling life’s challenges with a more positive mindset, and less stress. The focus is on learning the concepts and applying them in order to build the new neural pathways necessary for new habits and sustained change.

“ “. . . cultivating a positive mindset is one of the most impactful things any of us can do to more successfully and happily navigate work and life.””

Step Three--Create a Plan

As a final step, form a plan for what actions you would like to take based on what you’ve learned about yourself and your circumstances.

Taking Alex’s situation as an example, he initially learned more about why he didn’t seek out new challenges in his career: his motivation for strong work performance and his general desire for familiarity. Focusing on a core value of economically supporting his growing family, he gained motivation to trade familiarity in the short-term with a plan to seek new growth opportunities in his field. 

To get started with your plan, what is something you have learned about yourself that motivates you to take positive action in your career this week? 

_______________

For questions about motivation, any of the strategies listed here, or for more information on a research-based, app-guided course in mental fitness for positive action, schedule a free consultation call with me: https://SchedulewithJudyG.as.me/FreeConsult.

The Key to Setting and Accomplishing Goals for More Happiness and Success in Your Career

This article was originally published on Medium.

---

If you are like most people, the start of the year comes with thoughts on what you want to change, fix, gain, lose, do more of, or do less of in your life. When it comes to careers, the beginning of a new year can provide the needed motivation to take action on big goals you’ve been considering. Perhaps you want to:

·      Reach particular milestones such as advancement or a raise

·      Engage in professional development activities

·      Increase your motivation and deal with the unhappiness you’ve been feeling in your career

·      Finally begin the process of reviewing new job or career options with the ability to make those decisions with clarity and confidence

No matter your career goals, one of the foundational tools to help you accomplish them is to review your values. Values are the principles that guide our attitudes and actions. They are the foundational parts of who we are, and who we want to be. With respect to our careers, values contribute to making our work fulfilling (or sadly, in many cases, unfulfilling) to us.

When our work activities match what we value, we naturally feel happier. Work that aligns with our values feels more meaningful. With more meaning, we engage more fully and become more productive, thereby promoting stronger work performance, mastery, and success. All this leads to increased happiness. By contrast, when what we do is not aligned with our values, we often feel challenged, distressed, or unhappy.

Here is a way to test the importance of values in your work: Think about the last time you were unhappy at work. What were the circumstances? Was there something in the way the situation played out that contradicted your goals and sensibilities—or who you are (or want to be) as a person? Those feelings quite likely reflect core values for you.

Understanding our values has another benefit. It helps us make decisions with more energy and confidence. Think about it this way: once we know what we stand for, who we are, and what guides us in life, we can more easily make better decisions for ourselves and our future. This is especially true for decisions that would otherwise be particularly intimidating or difficult.

Whether you are contemplating new career options, actively job searching, working on important goals and milestones, or hoping to improve how you feel in your current career, identifying your core (top 5 or so) values can play a key role.

So, how do you begin to do this? Here are some ideas: 

1. The U.S. Department of Labor's free Work Values Matcher is a great place to start. It guides you through ranking specific statements representing career values before producing a quick report identifying the work elements most important to you. It also identifies careers that match your values. 

2. Another way is to look at a list of career values is to rank each value that resonates with you in order of its importance to you. Then narrow the list until you eventually land on your top 5. There are plenty of free values exercises online. Or, you can subscribe for a free one that I use with my clients here.

3. Yet another method for identifying your core career values is to reflect on some key questions. Ask yourself the questions below and consider the central themes in your responses:

• What does your perfect work day look like? Think about your ideal day and describe it in detail.

• What work projects and responsibilities excite you the most and why?

• When have you been the happiest, most motivated, and satisfied at work? Describe the factors involved, what you were doing and who else was there.

• When have you been the most unhappy, dissatisfied, and unmotivated at work? What were the factors involved? What were you doing? Who else was there?

Take your time working through any one of these exercises, or, better yet, engage with all three. Then, look for the overall themes and patterns. What stands out? Which values influence the others? How much are your values incorporated in your career currently?

If you find that your current job doesn't match your career values, not to worry. This doesn't necessarily mean that you are in the wrong place. Rather, it's an opportunity to potentially make changes in your present position.

For instance, if one of your core values is ongoing learning and you know your job inside and out, you likely feel bored and dissatisfied. So, make a plan for change. Start by asking yourself what you would you like to learn that would benefit you and enhance your role at your organization. Then talk with leadership and propose those learning opportunities, explaining how they can lead to stronger productivity and performance, to the ultimate benefit of your  organization. 

What if you're in between jobs or you are in a position in which the only real solution for your lack of job satisfaction is to change jobs or careers? Be sure to seek out career options that relate to your values. Look for organizations with core values that align with yours. Ask interview questions with your core values in mind for a sense of whether the job, company and culture are the best fit for you.

Whatever your career goals, design them with your core values in mind for increased confidence, success, and happiness in your work – and in your life.   

Three Ways to Set Boundaries for a Healthier Return to the Office

This article was originally posted on Medium.

---

The pandemic has changed the world, in some ways perhaps forever. We're all going through a challenging, historical event. Our personal lives have been upended (if not worse) and for many of us, our professional lives have as well. We've had to create new routines and get acclimated to a new way of working.

It's been a long time. And now, for many, it's time to head back to the office, either full-time or in a hybrid remote work arrangement. For some, it feels challenging to go back. There may be tension around the idea of less flexibility, less autonomy, the need to commute, and not as much time with loved ones.

In fact, if economists are correct, organizations may see a spike in resignations from employees who insist upon positions allowing them to continue to work remotely at least part of the time. According to the 2021 ​Work Trend Index released by Microsoft, over 40% of the entire global workforce could be handing in their resignations if being forced by current employers to return to the office full-time. 

Still, for others the return to the office is welcome. It signifies the start of getting back to life as usual. Some employees are looking forward to more opportunities for socialization, to feel the synergy of collaborating with others in person, and the comfort of getting back to a familiar "normal" routine. 

Either way, going back to the office represents a big adjustment both personally and professionally. It's a significant change. And, as we all know ​navigating big changes in life can be difficult But, there are things we can do to ease the transition back to the office and thrive at the same time. One of them is to look at workplace boundaries. 

What are boundaries in the context of our work environment? Here is one view: Boundaries are expectations you set for yourself based on your values and work priorities that serve to take care of you mentally, emotionally and physically, in order to improve and maintain your work performance. In other words, boundaries at work effectively communicate what you need and what you want in order to do a great job. 

Without clear boundaries our experiences generally aren't easy in work and life, and in fact, can be quite difficult. Here are some signals that boundaries are missing: 

• Your work schedule and workload have become unmanageable

• You find yourself saying yes to every new project without the time, energy, or resources to do the work

• Feelings of stress, overwhelm, anger, loss of control, resentment, or guilt regularly appear

• Work demands begin to invade your personal life more and more and you miss having time for friends, family and yourself

• In fact, you always feel pressed for time

• Burnout seeps in

This is quite a list, but here is some good news: Although setting boundaries can be done at any point in your life, establishing new boundaries during times of transition is actually the easiest. These life-changing transitions may include starting a job, getting married, having kids, getting promoted, or relocating. Or, how about returning to the office after more than a year of working from home during the pandemic? This is an excellent time to review your boundaries and set new ones as needed. 

How do boundaries help? Not only are they crucial for self-care and for delivering a strong job performance, they are an important element of ​career happiness. Boundaries can help you succeed both professionally and personally. They allow you to: 

• Establish effective and enjoyable routines

• Sharpen mental focus and motivation

• ​Increase productivity

• Ensure your needs are met both inside and outside of the office

• Promote self-esteem and confidence

• Decrease stress and avoid burnout

• Generally improve emotional, physical and mental health

What are some ways to set boundaries to support your shift back to the office? Here are three. 

1. Look at your current boundaries. What structures or expectations do you have in place right now and will they remain necessary when working in the office? As an example, if you have been enjoying two hours of quiet, focused time for projects each day while working from home, how important is it to you to find that same time when in the office? If important, what can you do to make it happen? ​

2. What will you miss about working from home and how can you respect that going forward? For instance, if your job sometimes requires you to work beyond a normal work day and you worry about the loss of flexibility to spend time with family, consider how long you're willing to work after hours and when. How can you structure your hours differently in order to have that time with family (taking into consideration the degree of flexibility your job allows)?

3. Consider your values. Values are the principles that matter most to you in life. They are fundamental philosophies that serve as helpful guideposts as you make decisions in work and life. Vales are the foundation of boundaries. When our values aren't reflected in our lives, we know it. We feel stressed, unhappy, or resentful.

   ​Once you know the top five principles most important to you in life, ask yourself some questions to create new boundaries that serve you best: Think of a recent work incident where you felt stressed, overwhelmed, guilty, angry, or any other negative emotion. What was happening in that moment? What value of yours wasn't being honored? What boundary can you set that respects that value going forward?

Whether or not you look forward to heading back to the office, think through what boundaries are best to help you reach and maintain your full potential professionally while also balancing your personal needs. Setting boundaries keeps you in the driver's seat. It will boost your resilience as you return to the office and help you succeed and thrive once there. There is no better time to do this than right now!

Will the 40+-Hour Work Week Always be a Fact of Life?

When reading last Sunday’s New York Times, I came across Roxane Gay’s advice column, Work Friend. A reader, Brit, had written in about unhappiness with work and at first I thought her letter was a parody. In it, she speaks of working in a dream job that calls on her skills and qualifications, that challenges her (presumably in good ways) and for which she is surrounded by amazing colleagues and supervisors. So, what’s the problem? She reported being unhappy with the unsustainable 40-hour work week and questioned whether she should make a change.

Frankly, I had to re-read her letter a few times to understand exactly what was making her unhappy. A 40-hour work week is standard, after all, and the job she describes seems to have many qualities that most of my clients would love to experience in the workplace.

What the reader writes about is interesting. She mentions that she is 27 and doesn’t believe working 40 hours a week allows sufficient time for the commitments in her life including self-care, creative pursuits and typical family activities and considerations. While 40 hours a week doesn’t seem like a lot to most (in fact it may seem like a luxury for those who work much longer hours), I began to wonder does it allow enough time for rest and enjoyment of the other areas of life?

In her response, Ms. Gay rightfully acknowledges that having to work only 40 hours a week would be a dream for many and that a 40-hour-work-week is just part of life. After all, it’s been embedded in the U.S. culture for many decades. And that’s true. But, here is where my thinking shifted. Many Millennials, such as Brit, have entered the professional world valuing personal pursuits and down time. They believe that workers need sufficient down time and vacation in order to be happy at work and at home. And, I think they’re on to something.   

As I research and work with work-life balance issues, I do see that long hours have a negative impact on our ability to enjoy life (even if we enjoy our work!) and certainly the longer hours many people work exacerbates levels of stress and unhappiness actually decreasing levels of productivity according to recent studies.

Workers in other countries have been enjoying work with fewer hours, more vacation and a healthier work-life balance without any apparent loss in productivity and flow of business. In fact, some companies are finding that a reduction of hours in the standard work week can actually increase workplace productivity. In addition to improving individual health and wellbeing, working fewer hours provides workers a natural impetus to prioritize important projects to ensure they’re completed, reducing levels of procrastination and increasing focus.

Is there any way we can do the same in the U.S.? Although a strong case can be made that we would all be better off with a culture of fewer work hours and more flexibility, this isn’t always within our control. But, I believe  there are things we can do to gently exercise more balance in life individually while maintaining and even increasing work productivity in less time.   

Here are some ideas:

1.     Give yourself a realistic, internal deadline for your work and stick to it. Adding a bit of deadline stress is helpful. In fact, an earlier deadline can help you increase focus  to complete a project ahead of time, meet your goals and avoid procrastination.  

2.     Along those lines, pretend you already work reduced hours and prioritize your work accordingly. Use your time wisely. If you have only 35 hours to get the same amount of work done, you’re more likely to prioritize effectively and increase productivity.

3.     Ensure your workspace supports your desire to focus and be productive. Declutter your desk, cube or office to block out the “noise.” Only bring in items that support a calm, peaceful environment that inspires you to stay focused.

4.     Take regular breaks. Instead of hindering productivity, regular breaks will increase your concentration and maintain your level of performance. Take “health breaks” such as going for a walk, listening to music, talking with a colleague, or doing something creative. Get your blood pumping or just take a breather to clear your head and refocus.

5.     Set boundaries. Say no. When you already have a full workload, just say no. A diplomatic way of communicating this to a colleague might be, “I’d like to help with this, but I’m unable to do it justice with my current workload, so I’ll have to pass this time.” Additionally, say no to unnecessary meetings where you can. According to Harvard Business Review research, employees at most companies spend 80% of their days in meetings, on the phone and responding to emails. As much as you can, say no to the nonessential meetings so that you have more time for critical thinking and work responsibilities, as well as more energy for other parts of life.

Employers in other countries are experimenting with reducing hours with great success, but we have a long way to go to shift the American culture away from an unhealthy workaholic mentality. In the meantime, if you’re ready to explore a change along these lines, what can you do to support an increase in productivity and make a case for a reduction of hours in your work? In doing so you will not only be taking care of yourself, but contributing to an overall shift to a culture valuing increased satisfaction, health, personal time, and genuine productivity for all employees.

Career Direction: What Decisions Are You Making?

How do you feel about your career direction? Are you sitting in a job that you aren’t happy with because you don’t know what to do next? Are you feeling paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong decision?

Know this truth: No matter what path you choose, no matter what next step you take, it will be the right one. Why? Because getting to where you want to go in work and life is rarely a straight line. And this is true because circumstances outside of our control arise often, and we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. 

We make decisions today in alignment with logic, our values, and hopefully with what our heart is telling us. But we are never making more than well-educated predictions of what the future holds. Sometimes it works out beautifully. And, sometimes life slings rotten tomatoes our way. In either event, the experience of making a decision and seeing it play out--no matter how it does--is a step in the right direction.

Some time ago, after having spent many good and challenging years working in the same career--in the same department, no less—I decided to take a new job. I had moved up within the department, but was feeling ready for more responsibility, variety, better work-life balance, and new experiences. I accepted an offer for a new job that “promised” all these things and more pay to boot. I was over the moon excited! 

What I learned, literally on day one of the new job, was that this new position was situated in a highly toxic environment that challenged and burdened me in ways I had never experienced. I, of course, felt like I had made a terrible decision, a huge mistake. But, what I learned was invaluable. And this is it: 

We can’t always control circumstances and what happens to us, but . . .

• We get to choose how to respond to challenging and difficult situations.

• We get to choose what insights and lessons to gain from stressful circumstances.

• We get to choose what our next steps will be at every turn and we can plot our new direction, informed by the experiences we’ve gained.

I stayed in that job just long enough to process these things and decide it was time to finally assess what I truly wanted from my work (and my life). As a result of this process, I headed out in a new direction to begin a new career as a coach. Don’t get me wrong—I had doubts and big fears about doing this. I thought about it a lot, talked it over with family, worked through the logistics, researched schools, hired a coach myself, and listened to my heart. 

It turns out that my road forward came from what I felt at the moment was a serious setback.  I love what I do now, but recognize that I would never have arrived at this place at this moment had it not been for my experiences at that new job. 

And, as satisfied as I am with my career, I know that there will be challenging times in my future, maybe even tomorrow. But, as awful as it will feel, I know I have the ability to find the lessons, think through options, check in with my gut, and trust myself to respond, make a decision, and take action. 

Rotten tomatoes are a fact of life. But, you are in charge of how you respond and what next decision to make. Knowing this, you can’t really make a bad decision on career direction, whether to stay where you are or to move on to something new. The only bad decision is not making one at all.

So, just get started. Take one small step today to begin processing your options. With each small step, you are progressing to a decision on a direction that you can make with trust and confidence. You’ve got this!

The Power of Resilience

This article was previously featured on Medium.

---

Here is a quote I came across recently:

"Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce."   -Vivian Komori

Resilience. It’s hard to count all the times I’ve had to call on it in my life and when I do, I’m reminded of its importance to wellbeing and success.

I should point out that I’m not suffering the traumatic stress and grief so many others are experiencing right now. I’m very thankful to be so fortunate. And this is not a message to indicate that resilience is the quick salve for all wounds and that after a major tragedy or debilitating setback, we ought to be able to immediately pick ourselves up and get back on the path. Sometimes we just need time to process and heal ourselves first.

Yet, when we do experience life’s losses and let downs of any degree, resilience is the key factor to get us back on our feet after that initial feeling of loss. It helps us succeed when circumstances aren’t in our favor. It allows us to “keep the faith” and carry on despite setbacks.

What happens when you’re resilient? You gain motivation to overcome roadblocks and find ways to persevere and succeed no matter what. The fact is that we all fail at times in life. We are all dealt harsh blows—often unfair ones. It’s an inevitable part of the human experience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from these moments and continue striving. It’s a crucial element to accomplishing what you want in work and life, and for experiencing happiness!

I bet that you can point to any successful individual and find a deep well of resilience within that person.

What happens when you have low reserves of resilience? Perhaps you:

• Pivot too soon from a great idea once something goes awry

• Beat yourself up with negative self-thoughts based on disappointments you’ve experienced

• Play out situations over and over in your mind wishing you’d done something differently

• Lose faith in yourself and your dreams

• Fall into a rut . . . and for much longer than you’d like

• Decide to just give up

These responses are normal as short-term reactions to adversity. What’s important is to catch yourself before letting them linger and before taking drastic measures without careful consideration, so you can stay on track with your goals and the direction you’ve set for your life.  

So, how do we build resilience? We can begin by looking at its source. Based on my experience and research, resilience stems from positivity. It’s the main ingredient in resilience.

One thing we know from neuroscience is that our brains are designed to process thoughts and information efficiently, which means that we often see what we expect to see. The author Anais Nin wrote, “We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

When we think negatively about a situation, another person, or ourselves, we naturally find the negative points that exist, because the brain is wired to see things based on our mindset—how we routinely view the world around us. Conversely, when we think positively, we are primed to see the positive in others, ourselves, and our circumstances.

Think about this: how we view adversity and stress strongly affects our experiences and outcomes from it. For example, if you view a set-back as purely negative without looking for the positive, i.e., the opportunities and learnings it generates, you will tend to take action from that negative mindset, typically achieving a far less than desirable outcome. But if you instead catch yourself in negative thoughts and take time to consider positive aspects of the situation, you will more likely take actions that better reflect your end-goals and values.  Makes sense, right?

Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl embodied a truly inspirational and unbelievably strong example of positive mindset in his memoir, Man’s Search for Meaning. In it, Frankl recounts his experiences surviving the atrocities of Nazi concentration camps. But, his book is less about his suffering and more about his strength to survive. He looked to the positives as hard as that is to imagine. He thought about his wife and leaned on the hope of seeing her again. He dreamed of teaching after the war on the learnings from his experience. Frankl believed that suffering itself was meaningless, but that we give it meaning by the way in which we respond to it. He wrote:

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”

This is obviously an extreme example, but it illustrates that there are extraordinary advantages in cultivating a positive mindset!

And, when we talk about positivity, it’s about viewing ourselves in positive ways as well. Being kind to yourself is just as important as maintaining a positive view point on challenging circumstances. Don’t let your inner critic expound on your shortcomings and berate your abilities. Stay aware of negative thoughts, challenge their truth, and reframe them in ways that will enhance your resilience, among other healthy benefits! You can read more on how to do this here.

It’s important to point out that changing attitudes and increasing resilience takes time and intentionality. But cultivating a more positive outlook is a worthwhile, if not critical starting point. It can help you bounce back, stay on track, and achieve far more of what you want in work and life!

__________

If you want to focus more on learning about your mindset and how to use it as a way to achieve better outcomes in your life, schedule a complimentary call with me or reach out with questions.

Critical Self-Chatter and How to Manage It

I’ve written before on negative self-talk because it comes up quite often for my clients. That’s because we all do it. Ethan Kross writes about this in Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It, and his work (some of which I’ve included here with my own thinking) introduced me to some new ideas on this topic.

Negative self-talk is biological and instinctual. And like many things, it can be healthy and unhealthy. For instance, some negative chatter can be valuable because it can generate the initial anxiety or impetus to prompt our stress response, which helps us take action and adapt in critical situations. It can help us plan, take charge, control ourselves, and find quick solutions.  

What happens, though, is that this negative self-chatter (and its accompanying stress response) can go on for too long, in ways that are damaging. In other words, we can get stuck in the anxiety that negative self-thoughts induce.

This can deeply affect our work performance and our relationships with others. After all, the brain only has a certain amount of power available to be in the present moment.

For example, if we need to be engaged with work, but are distracted by ongoing self-critical thoughts, not much work is being accomplished. Do you experience this? What can happen next is that the negative thoughts can then grow and become reinforced in our minds with the perceived failure of not being as productive, causing even more anxiety. Negative self-talk is vicious!

Likewise, with relationships, if negative chatter occupies too much of one’s attention and energy, it can make it challenging to be a good listener. And, relationships can be sabotaged by a person monopolizing others’ time by talking too much about his or her own problems.

These results are entirely understandable given what’s (literally) occupying our minds. And while it’s not entirely avoidable, it is manageable.

So, what can we do? There are a lot of tools that help and it’s all about finding ones that work for you. Below are some ideas to get you started using an example of a personal struggle of mine with accounting-related tasks. This has generated a fair share of negative chatter for me. (Believe me, I have far heavier personal examples of negative self-chatter, but those will have to wait for future posts.)

Coach yourself and use your name in third person as you do it. It’s easy to coach and support friends, but it’s hard to coach ourselves. This is why it’s important to use your name when doing so. I know this sounds corny—it certainly did to me at first. But, it works! For example, I might say to myself, “Come on, Judy. You’ve got this. It may take several hours to prepare that spreadsheet, but there is a lot of value to gain and it’s worth it! You’ll feel amazing once it’s done.” Remember: Language is powerful and can be constructive or destructive depending on how we use it!

Do something atypical when you find yourself engaged in negative self-chatter. Often times there is a sense of confusion and clutter in our minds when we are at the mercy of our negative self-thoughts which can prevent us from moving forward with work. Find other ways in those moments to regain control. For example, organize your desk or your office. Or, make a list of action items you plan to focus on immediately to cut the clutter and reengage with your work. Just make sure that whatever you do is a jumpstart to get back to your work in the moment, and not a distraction to avoid doing what needs to be done. That’s procrastination and a topic for another day!

Reframe your negative self-thoughts. Use those negative thoughts for you and not against you. As mentioned previously, negative thoughts about yourself allow you to mobilize and take quick action in critical situations. But, it’s important to then reframe them so that they don’t linger and become larger recurring problems that hold you back. Here’s one process to do that:

1. Look at the negative thought. What exactly are you telling yourself? Look for the actual truth and the actual facts and use them to challenge your negative thoughts. For example, I sometimes say to myself that I’m terrible with accounting and that I’m lame because I can’t learn to embrace accounting tasks. If I look at this, am I really “terrible” with accounting? No, I get to the right answers, it just takes me some time to get there. Am I “lame” because I can’t learn to enjoy accounting? No, we all have things we like and don’t like. I happen to not like working with numbers. Period.

2. Pinpoint what you are feeling when thinking those thoughts. Like most people, I feel frustrated with myself and anxious, almost resentful, about spending a lot of time on things I dislike. Monitor your emotions so you can identify your pressure points and embrace strategies that are well-suited to your individual triggers.

3. How do you want to feel instead? I, personally, want to feel capable and motivated to get through the project. Notice that I don’t want to learn to enjoy finance tasks—that may be unrealistic for now. Just feeling capable and motivated seems like a reasonable step in the right direction.

4. What would you like to think about yourself instead? This is where you can again throw in some of the self-coaching referenced above. Remember to talk to yourself as you would a friend (in third-person), and use true, factual statements that are constructive instead of destructive. How about, “Judy, you don’t like to create and analyze spreadsheets, but you’ve done it before and can do it now. The work product is important and offers a lot of value. You’ll feel amazing when it’s done and can then reward yourself with a [insert your reward of choice, mine might be a nice glass of wine] afterward.” As I said before, this sounds cheesy, I know. But it works! Again, there is power in positive (and true) words as much as there is in negative.

5. Find an anchor to help you tap into tools that work for you. Finally, think through an anchor you can use to bring you back to this process, or any process that works for you, the next time you find yourself thinking defeatist thoughts. An anchor might be a keyword posted on your computer or whiteboard, or it may be a daily reminder as part of your morning or evening routine, etc. The more often you remind yourself of what to do when you are experiencing critical thoughts about yourself (and the more you do it), the faster it will become an automatic habit!

The bottom line is to try different approaches to combat the prolonged negative thoughts you have about yourself. They aren’t serving you, so find productive ways to let them go and move on.

 * * * * *

Are you interested in diving in more deeply on this? Schedule a complimentary call with me to explore whether these techniques or other aspects of my coaching practice can help you improve your mindset and bring you more happiness in work and life.